Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra & St. Vincent

New Acts Announced for New Zealand International Arts Festival

12th of December 2009

MUSIC

For Immediate Release

The New Zealand International Arts Festival has announced two new acts for its 2010 line up at the Pacific Blue Festival Club - the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra from Brooklyn, New York and award winning indie singer-songwriter St. Vincent. Tickets go on sale on 15 December at Ticketek.

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra launched its sound from the foundation of afrobeat, incorporating elements of funk, highlife, jazz, Latin, and soul music into their percussion and horn-driven mix.

The band of 12 has developed a unique, contagious sound since they first got together in 1998, producing four albums and opening for major international acts including James Brown, No Doubt, and Wyclef Jean.

Antibalas, which means "anti-bullets" or "bullet-proof," have become known worldwide for their riveting African roots concerts bringing afrobeat to a new generation. In 2008 Antibalas arranged the music for and performed in FELA! - a tribute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. FELA! featuring members of Antibalas, is now on Broadway, produced by Jay-Z and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

St. Vincent is award winning Texan musician Annie Clark. Her music is an indie dreamscape of lush orchestration and tuneful, precise pop songs. Since the release of her debut album Marry Me two years ago, St Vincent's received great acclaim, and has since been touring with acts such as Grizzly Bear and Andrew Bird.

Before going solo St. Vincent was part of Texas psych-folk group The Polyphonic Spree. A stint playing with Sufjan Stevens followed. St Vincent has been playing and writing music since she was 12, and was a teenage Tour Manager for her aunt and uncle, jazz duo Tuck & Patti.

Antibalas will perform on Tuesday 9 March at 8pm, and St Vincent will perform on Thursday 18 March at 7.30pm, at the Pacific Blue Festival Club that is being built in Shed 6 on the Wellington waterfront. The Pacific Blue Festival Club will be open from 5pm till late Tuesday to Saturday from 27 February to 21 March 2010.

ENDS

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